Results 1,681-1,700 of 9,894 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Post-European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2020)

Thomas Byrne: That point was raised during the debate and I did not get to everything, so I am glad to have this opportunity. The Brexit adjustment reserve is part of the overall budgetary proposals for the next seven years and the recovery fund. Progress on it was to some extent held up because of the situation pertaining to Hungary and Poland which put a veto on an own-resources position until that was...

Post-European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2020)

Thomas Byrne: One of the reasons fishing is such a difficult issue to resolve is because the British place a higher priority on it. They see these as their seas and when they leave the European Union as they see it, they will keep all their seas. That is what some of the hard Brexiteers see. They may not understand the other side - that they need to export their fish. It is taking so long because...

Post-European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2020)

Thomas Byrne: The Acting Chair made the point that some people were not here. To be fair to them, this is officially the format and was always the format when we sat in Leinster House, but we have not really stuck to that since we came to the convention centre for various reasons. I find no fault in anyone who is not here to ask questions. It could well be a better system, allowing more people to ask...

Post-European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2020)

Thomas Byrne: I am not entirely clear on the format, but I am happy to make some remarks.

Post-European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2020)

Thomas Byrne: Okay, I will leave my concluding statement until then. In the past, I have just answered questions as they arose, which I will do for the next five minutes. I will then be happy to take questions. I will go through some of the points that have been raised. If I heard her correctly, Deputy McDonald spoke about the protocol's full implementation or operation being dependent on a wider...

Post-European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2020)

Thomas Byrne: I am saying that it is not a panacea. I am not a doctor or a scientist but I understand that antigen testing can be very useful for screening, but it is not a replacement for PCR testing. I do not believe anyone thinks it is.

Post-European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2020)

Thomas Byrne: I have one final point to make before I finish with this particular part of the debate. Deputy Pringle raised issues of plain English. It is something in which I am very interested. The classic example of bad English for me is the name CETA for the Canada-EU trade agreement. I would love to know who conceived of that particular title for the agreement because it makes the issue confusing...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2020)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanad as an deis teacht isteach anseo agus an leasú seo a phlé. Táim buíoch den Seanad go léir as ucht an chomhoibrithe ó gach duine maidir leis an mBille, go háirithe comhoibriú na Seanadóirí Rialtais a chur an leasú os comhair an Tí inniu. I thank Senators for the genuine cross-party co-operation on...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis na Seanadóirí as ucht an Bhille seo a thógáil inniu mar tá sé an-tábhachtach. Táimid ag teacht anois go tapa i dtreo dheireadh na bliana agus tá sé tábhachtach go mbeimid réidh don Bhreatimeacht. Tá an Rialtas réidh ach tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuil gach duine sa tír seo,...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2020)

Thomas Byrne: I thank Senator Higgins for her amendment and all the Senators for their contributions today on this Bill, which is not a normal one. The purpose is not for new significant policy initiatives but is to protect existing arrangements and rights. This is not about new rights or arrangements but is simply to keep what we can, insofar as we can, in the context of Brexit. The Bill protects...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2020)

Thomas Byrne: We had been hoping to have Report Stage this evening.

Pre-European Council: Statements (2 Dec 2020)

Thomas Byrne: Táim sásta ceisteanna a fhreagairt ach tá ráiteas agam. Tá mé sásta aon cheist a fhreagairt. Gabhaim buíochas as na ceisteanna a fuair mé ó na Teachtaí. Tá siad an-tábhachtach agus níl aon dabht ach go bhfuil an Bhreatimeacht, an coróinvíreas agus an rialú reachtach in ard na n-aigní anseo i Seomra na...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Nov 2020)

Thomas Byrne: Deputy Michael Healy-Rae.

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Nov 2020)

Thomas Byrne: I again thank all Deputies for their genuine co-operation. I accept what they said and I think they accept the trust we need in the country's negotiation position. The negotiations in the days ahead will be difficult. I reiterate my message that no matter happens, deal or no deal, significant changes are coming and we need this legislation in order to ensure we are ready for that. I do...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Nov 2020)

Thomas Byrne: Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le gach duine a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht seo inniu. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go bhfuilimid go léir aontaithe maidir leis an mBreatimeacht agus gabhaimid buíochas leis an bhFreasúra as an gcomhoibriú atá déanta acu anseo. I would like to express my thanks to all parties, including the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on Future of Europe and Related Matters: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (25 Nov 2020)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach, na Teachtaí agus na Seanadóirí as an bhfáilte agus as an gcuireadh teacht anseo ar maidin. Táim an-sásta teacht os comhair an choiste ar maidin agus an chomhdháil ar thodhchaí na hEorpa atá molta a phlé leis. Cuirim fáilte roimh shuim an choiste san ábhar seo agus roimh na seisiúin...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on Future of Europe and Related Matters: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (25 Nov 2020)

Thomas Byrne: I acknowledge the first point Deputy Howlin made. The visit was organised at the last minute. In future, I will make sure everyone is invited. On that note, the French Minister, Cleménte Beaune, is coming to the country on Monday week, I understand. It is planned to have a visit to the Border. With Covid-19 restrictions, we will make sure that every party is represented from the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on Future of Europe and Related Matters: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (25 Nov 2020)

Thomas Byrne: Deputy Richmond asked when a conference chair will be appointed. There are two different positions. Both the Parliament and Council have published positions so it is not just a question of a chair being appointed; it is a question of reconciling the two positions. I am sure that can be done. An agreement document will have to be produced. I have not seen considerable work being done on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on Future of Europe and Related Matters: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (25 Nov 2020)

Thomas Byrne: Undoubtedly, we want to be at the heart of Europe and do not want a federal Europe. That gives us power and business strength.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on Future of Europe and Related Matters: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (25 Nov 2020)

Thomas Byrne: I take on board what was said about traffic in Dublin. That is why I visited the ports of Rosslare and Dublin. For Dublin Port, substantial planning has been done and co-ordinated by Dublin City Council. I have checked this matter on a regular basis. One can have all the arguments about rules of origin but the face of Brexit will be a lorry driver stuck in traffic or a fisherman stuck on...